Constantine's Feel-Good Album
Constantine Maroulis finished sixth place on Season 4 of "American Idol." To some, that might not be the greatest showing, but former Idols are proving again and again that you don't have to win to be a star.
Chris Daughtry from Season 5 is enjoying immense success with his band, Jennifer Hudson from Season 3 won and Oscar for her role in "Dreamgirls" and Season 2's Clay Aiken is a household name.
Now after spending the last few years starring on the soap opera "The Bold and the Beautiful," hosting an online talk show about "American Idol" and starring in the Broadway production of "The Wedding Singer," Maroulis, is finally out with a self-titled album on his own label, appropriately called Sixth Place Records.
The first single off "Constantine" is "Everybody Loves," and it premiered on "The Bold and The Beautiful." Maroulis describes it as simply "feel-good rock 'n' roll." In a world where even indie rock is starting to sound the same, Maroulis remained true to his fan base by making a pretty commercial record, but at the same time has taken a few risks.
"I was on 'American Idol,' so there's a very specific audience — the great Middle Americans," he told The ShowBuzz.
Although Maroulis likes the hippest alt-rock bands like Kings of Leon, Arctic Monkeys and the Killers, he also loves bands like Journey and says it's important to "embrace the cheese."
"I think it's ultimately about songs — songs that people connect to, and hooks," he said.
Even before "American Idol," Maroulis enjoyed a career as a serious performer. After working as an actor and singer for several years, at age 22, the New Jersey native decided to head 250 miles north to study at the prestigious Boston Conservatory and the Berkelee College of Music. He received his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Musical Theater. The Conservatory, he said, stresses the idea of being a working performer, not necessarily a superstar, and that is what he strives for.
So when people ask him if he ever imagined himself on a soap opera, his response is simple: "It's nice work if you can get it."
Taping "The Bold and The Beautiful" in Los Angeles every day is a lot of work; add to that the constant shuttling back and forth between there and New York where he recorded "Constantine." But a packed schedule is what Maroulis says he thrives on.
"I've always had a lot of different jobs growing up — always was a hustler," he said. "I don't require much sleep. I'll sleep when I'm dead."